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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 |
Good for you girl, may all your positive wishes come true.
The Zuzka Light visual format is far “healthier” than BodyRock eventually became. It is far more appealing to the wider fitness audience. Your personal happiness is much more clearly present than it was at the latter end of BodyRock, which at times I found uncomfortable viewing as you appeared over-worked.
Onwards and upwards.
Private Member |
I just wanted to say your situation is all too familiar. You are not alone. I have been following you for years…don’t know how I missed this post. Freddy sounds exactly like my ex-husband (or at least hopefully soon) who I have figured out has a personality disorder…NPD. Crazy how some people think the world revolves around them and there is no compromise or consideration of a differing opinion.
Private Member |
Zuzana,
Thank you for being such an inspiration to so many. I felt so uncomfortable with the terrible angle Lisa Marie’s videos took on and was so uninspired by the new videos that came out on bodyrock once you left. They seem so cold and very sexual. There is enough sexual pressure out there. What motivates me to stay healthy and fit are people with positive, motivating, and encouraging messages. You have overcome adversity and you have encouraged so many. I absolutely love your attitude. You are beautiful and that wouldn’t be evident in the least if it didn’t shine through in all you do. What I mean to say is that a beautiful body is nothing unless you have a beautiful heart. You have both. I’m so glad you are standing up for yourself and sharing from your heart. THIS is why you have so many followers. You care and connect with all who follow you. Thank you so much. With love!!!
Private Member |
Z:
I have followed BodyRock.TV since one of your first YouTube posts. At the time I had ended an abusive relationship – one that further propelled my drive in fitness and in self-control. I recall watching you and Freddy grow – your first site, the revised site – all the while working with a thought of having a partner who would support me in the same way. I started to notice a change in the way you were portrayed as well – I recall your first videos being so light and positive. I will never forget the day you posted that “there would be a change – it was a self shot video and you insisted that you two would remain friends.” I cried for you then. I realized that you had the same look I did – so many unanswered questions – lots of ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ this situation ever got to that place. It was the last time I watched. I have popped on here and there but I just never felt the same. You worked so hard at that and if I have learned anything similar it’s that we can get through anything. You are being true to yourself and whether that gets you 1 million followers or just this one that believes in you, then you have succeeded as a human – as a woman and a role model. Thanks for sharing so much of your personal life, your dreams and your experience. Blessings to you for a beautiful 2014.
Private Member |
Seems like Freddy doesn’t understand what a marriage is.
Private Member |
Zuzana,
Thanks for your post with your explanation.
I started visiting BR when some of your videos gone viral, and said to myself “Ohh my.. she is… GOOOOD” To be honest, I liked it a lot, all your routines and burpees, your talk ect…
But then at some point, there was too much of it. The whole (video) angle turned the other way, at least for me. I know, sex sells, and that was it. It crossed the border between too much sexualisation and enjoyable to watch.
Right after you have left BR I finished with them too.
..and found you here and zwow.
It is very sad that you had to do whatever you had to do (for some time), but I’m very happy for you that you have the strength and stamina to stood up for yourself, and started all again and again.
Good luck to you and all the best
Private Member |
I am shocked at the way you have been treated by that control freak “Freddie”, and I’m also shocked by the fact that you only owned 49% of the company – you were “Body Rock” – he was only operating the camera !!
I noticed a few instances of his control over the girl called Lisa.
I wish you the best of luck and success with “Zuska Light” which I shall continue to support – you are an inspiration.
Private Member |
yeah it was so obvious how he was filming u, unprofessional… we as men see ur body without that and we are primarily on the site cos of sick exercises.ofc pretty face helps and smile and kindness… we see ur passion and commitment . nothing else matters
Private Member |
Keep your head up, u deserve better. He is bitter because you have learned who this guy really is! My girlfriend is going through same experiences! I can’t believe it! I stambled on your videos by accident, very motivating. Keep it up, be strong. Cheers!
Private Member |
Thank you for sharing your side of the story Zuzka. It was important you do so, in order to clear your name after Freddy tried to discredit you. It’s so obvious that he’s a disgusting shallow human being, when he talks about his marriage and airs his ‘dirty linen’ on a fitness site. The fact that he wants to steal your share of BR is proof that he is an evil man. I wondered where you had disappeared to, as I used to follow you on BR. It’s ironic that I actually discovered your website through their blogs. I was SO happy and have never gone back to BR. Lisa Marie didn’t have the same magic about her that you have. Their site feels dead and I never felt inspired by any of the women there. Your shoes are impossible to fill Zuzka. I love your workouts and have joined your ZGym. I am doing the 30 Day Challenge with you. I have so much stamina and energy. I have two grown up boys, who also follow your workouts. People are already commenting that I look slimmer and more defined. We love you Zuzka. Your blog is fun and I look forward to reading your comments and seeing your videos with your man and your dogs. I wish you all the best and lots more success. God bless you xoxoxo
Private Member |
Dear Zuzka,
I am very sorry for you that you had to live with that asshole,
But i am sure that everything is gonna be alright 🙂
Btw Lisa Marie is so ugly, Even the surgeries she had didnt Make her good looking.
You look so much better and more femine!
Do what you believe-always.
Best wishes from Bavaria, Germany
Derya