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An Open Letter To All My Fans - Finally I am Standing up for Myself
Blog | July 14, 2013
I didn’t think that I would have to deal with this, but it came to the point when I just have to stand up for myself. It came to my attention that my soon to be ex-husband wrote a post about our marriage in which he pictured me as an abusive monster that used him to get to Los Angeles only to dump him, dump BodyRock.Tv that we’ve build together and become a star. My stomach literally turned upside down when I read all of those horrible things he wrote about me that are absolutely not true. I keep being bullied by this man who took literally everything from me.
Here is my side of the story. Freddy and I have build BodyRock.Tv a fitness/personal blog that became very successful. We traveled, had fun, shot hundreds of workout videos that went viral on youtube. BodyRock.Tv was a very successful business that was making us a lot of money. It was insane. We had everything but home. I did not want to live in Canada and my husband did not want to live in Prague. We tried a little country in Mediterranean – Malta, but it still didn’t feel like home to either of us. In 2011 we were contacted by a large talent agency and production company from Los Angeles to discuss a possible business opportunity. It sounded great and we were both excited to move to L..A.
We moved to Los Angeles in May 2011 and rented an expensive house in West Hollywood for the entire year. While we did not close a deal with the production company and did not get representation from the talent agency, we both felt strong about BodyRock.Tv and wanted to keep growing. Our relationship on the other hand was not at all in good shape. It was not because I was a monster wife that would physically and emotionally abuse my husband. We had serious issues that caused disconnection on my part. I was not happy about the creative direction of our videos and the way I was being portrait and perceived. While I was happy about the numbers on youtube and growing business I was feeling more and more embarrassed about my sexualized image. Don’t get me wrong, I like sexy, and confident, but I don’t enjoy having camera close up my cleavage and elsewhere. That was also a reason why we did not get any sponsorships or representation by any large talent agency despite of the popularity online. I felt like our goals were different. I wanted a clean family friendly blog that people wouldn’t be embarrassed to share with their friends, and Freddy wanted to see bigger numbers. I felt like I was being controlled in every aspect of my life. I didn’t even have my own cellphone for the first few months in Los Angeles. Apparently it wasn’t needed. If anyone wanted to talk to me, they can call my husbands cell phone.
Another issue in our relationship was our intimacy. I was not as physical with my husband as he wanted me to be which led to frustrations on his part and disappointment and disconnection on mine. I couldn’t get a hug from him to be comforted, without him being sexual with me. I could no longer imagine to have family with this man. I knew that I would not be able to look into my children’s eyes and tell them that their dad is the love of my life.
I decided that the best thing for both of us would be to separate as a couple and remain best friends and business partners. While I can’t deny that Freddy was devastated by my decision, it was not true that he had to leave to his home town in Canada. I told him that our house was big enough for both of us. We had two separate bedrooms. I offered him that I would help him to get through the changes and that I would not be the first one to date other people if he decides to stay. I wanted him to be happy and I wanted us to keep growing BodyRock.Tv.
He decided to leave me in Los Angeles and went back to his home town in Canada with his family. I was fine with that and I have to say that I felt relieved and was excited for the new beginnings. Freddy and I were in touch every day and talked about BodyRock.Tv and how we are going to continue as business partners. We agreed on bringing in other girls as hosts of the workout videos. However my idea of hiring a camera guy to shoot my workout videos was denied by my husband. No one was allowed to shoot videos of me. That’s why you could see me doing only short intros to the workouts having my camera on tripod. I was also doing some nutrition and diet posts, but I felt very limited by not having anyone to help me. We were both feeling overwhelmed by the change, because we were used to working together and we were very good at working together.
Things got very tough when his new girlfriend Lisa Marie came to the picture. While I thought that him having a new girlfriend, a person that will be there for him, will make things a lot easier, I was wrong. Up until then, we were friends, partners and we were getting along. If you were following BodyRock.Tv back then you must have noticed that I have basically vanished right after her very first post. In December 2011, Freddy’s attitude towards me changed completely. He became incredibly mean, he denied me an access to BodyRock.Tv and all the social media we’ve build together. Since I had no access to our Canadian business account, and owned only 49% of the company, I was relying on him to pay me monthly dividends. My future was completely in his hands. When I asked for my dividends he told me to first sign a non-compete agreement. What that means is that I wouldn’t be allowed to ever have my own fitness blog or to ever do a workout video online. I felt like I was being controlled again and threatened on top of that. It was never my intension to leave BodyRock.Tv. I was forced to leave to keep my independence and dignity. He told me to lawyer up and the last email I got from him stated exactly this: “I want you to sell the company car that your mom is using. Aww, isn’t it horrible that your mom that has nothing won’t even have the car?” That my friends right there was the end of our friendship. I couldn’t believe it. Of course I did not sell the car and my mom still has it.
What happened next is that he wrote a post on BodyRock.Tv that would portray me as a bad person that betrayed him in every possible way. He wrote that he was being forced and manipulated to write the post about us breaking up. That was the post with the picture of us sitting on the front step of the house in West Hollywood. Just to let you know, nobody was forcing him to write what he did. While I was pushing for him to post the truth about us not being a couple, he wanted to write it in his own words and told me not to let anyone know that I left him. I was fine with that.
At that time, I decided that I will not give up and that I will continue doing what I love and he or nobody else will ever stop me. I contacted Darren from Watch it now entertainment, explained him the entire situation and asked him if he wants to be my partner. We clicked as friends immediately and we were on the same page when it comes to fitness, blogging and my image as a trainer. I got hired by his company and got my work visa instantly. After that, you know the story. We started shooting ZWOWs and I tried to get back on my feet. I can never thank Darren and his team at Watch It Now Entertainment enough, who all helped me when I had absolutely nothing. I am also forever thankful to my boyfriend who stood by me the entire time and gave me the kind of love and home that I have always dreamed off.
I filed for divorce in January 2012, however I am still waiting for the divorce to happen, because my husband is way too power hungry and wants my 49% of BodyRock.Tv which he thinks is worth his signature on our divorce papers and nothing more. I was also threatened by a letter from his lawyer that I might be deported back to Czech Republic if I won’t stop doing ZWOWS and sign the non-compete agreement with BodyRock.Tv. I guess he assumed that I didn’t get my visa.
I have received way more abuse from him in the form of online bullying. He said so many bad things about me on his Facebook and other social media and I have never stood up for myself. For some weird reason I thought that he is really not that kind of person and that maybe he’s just very hurt that I left him. I thought that he is being like that because he’s probably suffering. Now it got to the point that I am hundred percent certain that all that crap he writes about me is his cover up to justify the fact that he took everything from me and have been actively trying to destroy my career and my online presence. Here he is again with another post trying to hurt me. He didn’t take the most important part of me though–my faith, love, and will power.
Private Member |
There is and always will be only one Zuzana, and he will never find another like you, no matter how hard he tries to re-create someone to be like you, it will never happen.
Private Member |
aloha
so sorry for all that you are going through. I too, was a body rock watcher, and stopped when you ere no longer on the site. It seemed much too sexual in a bad weird way.
I love that you are posting workouts and have found a new outlet. I wish you the best of luck in all things for your futute.
People everywhere love and admire you.
stay strong
aloha
Private Member |
aww, why men are like that when they can’t control on women then they try to blame and destroy the women. I am so proud of you that you stood up for yourself. keep moving you are doing wonderful job. I left watching bodyrock since you left him. Bodyrock doesn’t excite me at all since then. take care.
Private Member |
Hi Zuzka I´m from czech republic.I´m your big fan.And then I now this,piece your life.I´m bigger fan and I admire you.I have two little children Tobias(3) Andriana(9months).I´m single and I have been alone from beginning.Both pregnants,births I was alone.And when I had to start again,Your workouts helped me found myself again,get my body in shape and I´m still alone but happy whit my children.My son trains whit me and my daughter lauhgs every time to us.Excuse my English please,I have already spoken
few years .Stay strong!!!! Veronika
Private Member |
Zuzana,
I have been following your workouts for years. I’ve only written in one other time, but after reading this post I felt a need to write in to say thank you for all your hard work and for helping so many people through the years. When I found BodyRock.tv years ago I was so excited to finally have such an inspirational woman to workout with. I logged on every day to train with you, and I got amazing results. You were the reason I continued following BodyRock though. As soon as you left (now we all know you did not leave but were forced out) I didn’t care to log on anymore. I searched for you and was really hoping you were doing your own thing, so when I finally found your Zwow’s I was so happy and excited to start training with you again. The reason I’m sharing this is to illustrate that YOU made BodyRock, just as YOU are now making Zuzka Light. You are such a strong and radiant person, which radiates out through your videos, and that is why people are so inspired by your work. It sucks that your ex is being so arrogant and selfish to try and get you to sign a non-compete agreement. If he were to succeed in that he would be denying so many people their inspirational leader that is helping them to become healthy, fit, and confident in themselves. Keep standing up for yourself and fighting for your rights. You have a whole slew of warriors backing you! 🙂
Private Member |
Zuzana,
Just like everyone here, we are on your side. You are a lovely person and you’re also strong – inside and out, physically and emotionally. Life must always move on and it’s unfortunate that some people can’t move on with you.
Thank you for speaking intimately with us readers, because (besides the advise) we care for you and what’s happening in your life. Know too that you can always turn to us, your legions of fans.
Private Member |
When you disappeared from BodyRock, you were truly missed. I for one am so pleased you are back and better than ever! You are so right about the direction Freddy was going. It got to a point where I felt I couldn’t play those videos in front of my family because they became so sexualized. The problem is apparent, you ARE the star and you pose a threat to the success of BodyRock or HIIT or what ever they are calling it now. But the stuff over there got so petty and disgusting. People love you! Rise above it, you have risen above it! Stay strong!
Private Member |
Keep being strong, Zuzka. I follow you since 2009, that’s almost the beginning of everything. I saw 99% of all your videos which you ever posted on internet. I love you, I admire you and I will be your loyal fan forever. You did a big thing with all the Bodyrock.TV stuff. To be honest we always loved you talking to us and you working out with us. We didn’t watch it because here your boobs jump like that, here is your butt pouting like that and stuff like that. I even remember back in 2010, when you were hiking somewhere that you “joked” about that you will hold the camera for a while because when Freddy holds it that all just about boobs and but. We all know it was a bit too much for a fitness. Yes, sex sells but you can sell even without to much sex. Yes, we love how you look but that is just a bonus to all that stuff you are doing. Keep being who you are and you’ll never lose us, your loyal loving fans. I am even more loyal because I am Czech too so I rigth see through you and… I really see a good person. Keep it real Miss Light!
Private Member |
Keep being strong, Zuzka. I follow you since 2009, that’s almost the beginning of everything. I saw 99% of all your videos which you ever posted on the internet. I love you, I admire you and I will be your loyal fan forever. You did a big thing with all the Bodyrock.tv stuff. To be honest we always loved you talking to us and you working out with us. We didn’t watch it because here your boobs jump like that, here is your butt pouting like that and stuff like that. I even remember back in 2010 (or so), when you were hiking together somewhere you “joked” about that you will hold the camera for a while because when Freddy holds it that’s all just about boobs and butt. We all know it was a bit too much for a fitness business. Yes, sex sells but you can sell even without too much sex. Yes, we love how you look but that is just a bonus to all that stuff you are doing. Keep being who you are and you’ll never lose us, your loyal loving fans. I am even more loyal because I am Czech too so I see right through you and… I really see a good person. Keep it real Miss Light!
Private Member |
– note – second post is valid, first one has too much mistakes. 🙂