Site navigation and social media links
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 |
From everything good and bad, we can take a lesson, and grow, I think you did meanwhile he isn´t, but do not give into negatives feelings, i like your videos, I work in Gym, mostly weights, and your challenges have make rethink that there is more than machines to become fit, good luck and I think you are pretty. 🙂
Private Member |
I am so sorry to hear you had to go through all of that, AND that you were treated so poorly after taking the high road! I hope that you had friends and people who really love and care about you to offer support while you had worry about the uncertainties of how things would work out. And girrrrrrl, I don’t know you and I am barely fit enough to follow your workouts, but I was SO HAPPY and honestly even relieved to see you bouncing back and re-emerging in charge of your own image and career. You have always been an inspiration to me and I hope you continue to reap what you sow, because you’ve been planting so much positivity for people all over the place. I LOVE that you are kicking ass again and that you’ve made it through this ordeal. I wish nothing but continued health and happiness for you. Much love! You really are a warrior!
Private Member |
I guess I am a little late in reading this, but just wanted to throw you my support. Zuzka, YOU were Bodyrock.tv…this is why so many people have left bodyrock to follow you. And I bet many more would do the same if they knew where they could find you. I personally left BR because it is YOU who inspires me, YOUR workouts that make my body whole, YOUR personality that pulls my attention, and YOUR words that push me.
I was still reading the bodyrock posts after you left, and I know which post you’re referring to. It was pretty obvious that Fred was being very careful with his words and vague and trying to play the victim.
…and I am honestly not making stuff up or trying to badmouth just because I’m taking sides or whatever, but when I first saw Fred, he reminded me of this scumbag, sleazy pornstar manager that I had seen on a talk show once (mind you, this was all before I even noticed that BR was heavily boobs and butt shots). But I thought “I’ve only seen him in youtube vids, I don’t even know the guy. Zuzka knows him better and likes him, so I must just be being judgmental.” Anyway, that feeling never went away but I was able to push it to the back of my mind with reasoning, I guess. Enough about Fred.
I have been VERY curious about some of your old workouts still posted under Charliejames, but I have not watched the videos simply because I know that my views would go toward BR and not you, whom I support 100%.
Wish you lots of joy and happiness.
<3 J.
P.S. Jesse does not remind me of any sort of pornstar manager, lol.
Private Member |
I agree with the above – a little late but untill today I have been asking myself, what this plastic surgery girl is now doing on bodyrock.tv, since, originally, the whole thing was about you. In any case, people should know what happend – lots of fans are looking out for you and dont understand why you are no longer on bodyrock.tv.
Private Member |
He must have been incredibly hurt to make things this ugly, but that’s his mistake. Relationships don’t work out sometimes, it’s perfectly natural. People need to learn to move on.
You are the end result of your cumulative life experiences. Some might have been bad, while others have been good. As long as you are happy with your current self, that’s all that matters. You shouldn’t worry about what all these other people are saying/doing.
Keep rocking Zuzka, you have come a long way, don’t ever stop.
Private Member |
Hi zuz
I’m a big fan of you, i’m so sorry you pass for all this, i’m a litte worried because i’m now with my boy friend in the personal trainer bussiness and now to night at this moment you confirm to me many things i was not sure about lije the 49% thing,
Thank you and you are pretty amazing i admire you i’m looking forward to be succesfull as you are now.
Congratulations you keep strong
Private Member |
Z, you are SUCH an inspiration! After this I could never even imagine supporting BodyRock TV. you made that empire what it is Today! DO NOT SELL! Get a lawyer! You have an amazing case! You’re on every video! By the time your great lawyer is done with him he will be begging to give you everything back.
Private Member |
Hello Zuka this is great to know the truth. I am a big fan of yours and now it answers what I thought was so weird and I hope to soon purchase a package of your daily workouts and maybe I will explain what I knew. Good for you. Your ex never forgot you it shows in the new images. Karma always win remember that.
Private Member |
Finally I’ve found you again. 🙂
Private Member |
Zuzana, Ive benn watching you for many years now. I am proud of what you have done with your life. I was wondering what you saw in Freddy. I had the feeling that he is spoiled. The tone of his voice and in his posture gave me that feeling. Forget all that what has happen to you and move foward.
You seem to be standing on solid ground now.