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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 |
I’ve been following you guys from the beginning and what you wrote is exactly what my gut was telling me. I admire you as a person, love your fitness, will support you with watching your videos, commenting, linking, leaving you good reviews, buying your dvds (I’ve bought all of them) and subscribing to your zgym. Hope this hell can end positively for you. And the way he always starts this negative, weird stuff on his FITNESS blog is just off putting. Hugs from Croatian fans! Mladen
Private Member |
Good on you Zuzka, you deserve to be successful and move on with your life. At the end of the day you have everything that matters and he obviously doesn’t. Thanks for doing what you do and taking the higher road.
Private Member |
I have too much to say on this matter. I read his blog and yours. For one, I love you, Zuzka. You are my fitness guru idol…I own every DVD you have made. I literally cried when you left BodyRock.tv. I did not like the way Freddie’s camera-taste depicted you as a porn-like fitness model and still does it to Lisa-Marie. I watch your videos and check your website every day and keep following you because you are real – no bullshit and you seem to have a genuinely sweet and good heart. I know about divorce and exes but thought that only people with kids had the worst split-ups. Don’t let any of this crap get you down. You have so many fans that love you. 🙂 <3 xoxo
Private Member |
I’m very sorry you had to go through that. Bodyrock.tv isn’t the same without you. I’m glad you’ve worked things out with your visa. You’re an amazing person and deserve only the best in your life.
Stay strong Zuzka <3
Private Member |
I’m very sorry to hear about your situation, but you will come through it all wiser and happier. You have a lot of supportive fans. Best wishes to you!
Private Member |
Suzka I started to follow you a few months before your split, I was enjoying you and the way you worked, I was very saddened to know you both were taking different ways when I had just started to find an awesome way of fitness. I had no other choice at the time but to follow Lisa, at first she seemed to follow the idea of Bodyrock and all was ok, not too long after a while she became different making me think Frederick was a guy who seemed to be pushy and manipulated, videos continued to be sexual driven.., so annoying! And then non the less she got the boob job, nose, lip, etc… My first though was he wants to make her his way… It seemed obvious your look was not there! I was ecstatic when I saw you were back! I have followed you since and I give you my biggest props for being: genuine, true, and most of all a fitness professional w/out the sexual images! You portray what we want, fitness in the right way. I can only say you have done great to stand for your rights and for NO reason fall under his wing and listen or sign ANYTHING!! You are doing and amazing job and you have a great support team! He might say FREE as much as he wants, but when they keep adding equipment I just don’t thing it’s free anymore… Your prices for both DVDs and Zgym ate too me a WOW!.., super awesome, thanks for you dedication and hard work… Keep striving and don’t give up or let your guard down! You deserve this and much more than 49% of bodyrock.., you made it! Keep ZWOW’N!!!
Suggestions: change your “light” no more for him…
Private Member |
I totally agree with everything you said including the last name…just “Zuzka” would be perfect.
Private Member |
Hang in there, Zuzana! It is clear to most of us where the talent was once you peeled off and took your talents in a more positive direction. For people who are truly interested in fitness, you are the Real McCoy. I’m so sorry that you have to suffer such abuse at the hands of someone who loved you. Know that jealousy is a bitter thing and try not let it suck up your positive energy. You are strong, you are talented, you are a beautiful person. I look forward to watching your climb to the top <3
Laura Dempsey
Private Member |
I’m sorry that you are going through this. I stopped following bodyrock after you left b/c it changed and I couldn’t stand Lisa Marie and the vibe of the site felt a lot less wholesome. I was so excited when I discovered you had started a new site and videos. I want to THANK YOU for continuing! You have a good heart and are clearly the stronger, better person. KEEP YOUR HEAD UP!
Private Member |
I’ve followed you for 3.5 years now and will purchase every DVD you put out, will continue to ZWOW & ZShread as long as my body allows me to. Thank you for everything you do Z! When you were going through your separation my heart hurt for you. Don’t look back, keep it movin’. You are blessed and doing a great job helping people. Thank you!!! 🙂
Private Member |
You know what it is that brought me back to your original youtube posts for workout advice? It was you sincere character and obvious passion for, and knowledge of fitness. I was in Africa for a year and didn’t have a gym so I looked online for body-weight workouts, or at least minimal equipment. I started following your programs at least three times a week because of the imaginative and incredibly challenging workouts you were doing! What you say about your image on that site is true. It wasn’t family oriented. Your new website is something I can watch with my daughter (and I do! She loves watching your workouts! She’s only 18 months old now and she bounces up and down and stomps around while she watches you! lol) I hope the image of your exercises is something that sticks with her because you’re a good role model in those videos: very capable and very kind-hearted. Good luck