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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 |
Unfortunately, I hear this from a lot of women about men controlling their lives. Sorry to hear this…. You did right and no matter what he writes, you know your truth and destiny. Bullies are always number one on my hit list both in and out of the gym. You do not have to have a guy in your life to be happy. Be happy first then if you decide to hook up with another, spend time with them to fully comprehend if they are right for you. Do not make another mistake to compound the one in you are in…..Good Luck and Happy Trails!
Private Member |
Hi Zuzana
I am a little sad by your situation, but I am all so glad, because you are a wonderful person and you deserve a better men by your side.
YOU ARE MY ROLE MODEL.
I am a bodyrock fan since 2011 and the new sucks.
I am glad a found you!!
thanks zuzana
Private Member |
Dear Zuzka,
Hi I m from Pakistan and by tradition we respect woman.I truly love u and want to marry you. I m so happy that u got rid of that fucking bastard
Private Member |
I used to follow you on bodyrocktv and lost a lot of weight doing your workouts…but i fell pregnant with baby #3 and wasn’t following the website for a while. I was surprised to see someone else doing the workouts and she wasn’t as engaging as you were. I still kept getting Bodyrocktv newsfeed on my fb page but it was a lot of rubbish on celebrities not to mention raunchy so I unliked the page…Then I found you had started your own page and was so happy…you are still the best at what you do in my opinion and I am so happy you took things into your own hand and made something for yourself…You will forever have my support!!! Love you and your workouts <3
Private Member |
Like so many others have written, I am sooo happy I have found you, I got into the best shape I have ever been in when you were doing bodyrock.tv and then you disappeared and it just wasn’t the same, YOU were my motivation and Im sad to say with you gone I let myself fall back into my bad habits. But Ive found you again and am thrilled!!!
Private Member |
I have your after workout stretch on youtube video. It’s good. Only about 10 mins. I wanted to find more vids. from you and came across all the ranting between you and your husband. You really think your fans should know your personal business? Really? I mean, I understand to a point. But on and on you can pull up articles about or between you two. My goodness. Too much information. I also have to laugh at your “cleavage” problem and not being taken seriously. Really? I have never, ever seen you in a top that you weren’t popping out of. If I owned a production company, that is all I would want from you. I agree you should have freedom of expression and all that. You’re a pretty girl and have a lovely figure. But honey, if you want to be taken seriously, you need to act the part. There are plenty of cute tops out there that will show off that lovely figure without being too sexy. Family friendly??? Give me a break. Don’t get me wrong. I think your vids. are good but why don’t you class it up a bit and start being professional. Stop airing your dirty laundry online and letting the world in on your personal life. I’m sure you’ll find great results. And if you already have, I think that’s great. But online is forever….
Private Member |
Late reply, but I only just saw this post. Looks like I fall in the same category as many of your followers! I started watching you when you were with Bodyrock. I couldn’t keep on when you left. I remember one of your last videos and could see the pain in your eyes and knew something was…off…and had a gut feeling about Freddy (Especially when you dropped off completely after it being said that you’d be on from time to time). EVERY now and then, I’d pop back on to see if you were back, but no luck. The site lost it’s positiveness and was just…weird.
FINALLY, not long ago, I found your site, here! I was SO excited!! I, like many others, was uncomfortable with the over-sexualized shots, before. In fact, the first thing I told my husband when I found your site was how “It’s not awkward like the other site!!!”
And now I found your post. Thank you for bringing to light what was going on (and in a professional manner). Even if I had seen Freddy’s posts, I would know that was not who you are. I hope and pray that everything can be resolved and that he’ll move on with his life and leave you alone to your own. I know others have advised it, and it sounds like you’re doing this anyway…but I, too, would advise that no further remarks are needed (as he might be trying to provoke you to respond in similar fashion, then could sue you. And I agree, too, that you ought to document all of his remarks as they can be used against him).
I’ve been praying for you, not knowing what was going on…and I’ll continue to pray that this has a good resolution! Thank you for your contagious positive attitude! I’ll be following your workouts here, that’s for sure! 🙂
Private Member |
That is just terrible, gosh I am so glad you are moving on. My wife and I both have started getting into shape and we remembered your videos from years ago, and we were wondering who the hell was on the BodyRock tv and where was Zuzka? Now that you have explained it, we have DELETED every link to the old and push in support towards your new sites and workouts. We are so glad you have finally moved on and for the better, so sad… I too have had to endure the big D after about 20 yrs, just grew a part. Wont go into detail, but my new wife Geneveive from the Philippines is just a wonderful person, and just as you have found a great person, we can totally relate to your past. WE can’t wait for the Kettle Ball Series to hit our mail box.
Anyhow take care, keep up the great work, and its hard to find great people with great positive character. Let me know if you ever need help in the web industry we can help ya out, 22yrs of experience LOL
Thanks Zuzka for showing us your heart
Den and Gen
Private Member |
Dear Den and Gen,
Thank you so much for you warm message. I am happy that you guys have found me and that I can hopefully keep you hooked on my workouts for many years to come 🙂
Best,
Z.
Private Member |
So that’s what happened… I stopped following BodyRock.Tv for a while for I was still in school back then and I was ridiculously busy. However, I do remember a video of yours were you said that you won’t be making any more workout videos though, and I thought that you just moved on and you were focusing on other things in life (like going on a scholarship or working for BodyRock from behind the camera or something of the sort). I came across the ZWOW website by coincidence; I was looking for old videos of your workouts on YouTube. I should have done it sooner.
On a completely different note, I do agree with you that sometimes the videos were a bit too sexual for a home workout video. Maybe it was a good thing you moved out before it got worse. There was a complaint of this sort on a similar home-fitness website.
Keep it up Zuzka. I actually missed your videos. And I never knew that you lived in Malta for a while either. You should visit some time soon. 😉 *hugs and kisses from the Mediterranean*
Private Member |
I’m so sorry to hear what you went through and what you’re going through with this pathetic a**. I want to see you now succeed more than him. You can do it. Good luck!!