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 |
Ps, I UNLIKED the BodyRock page. 😉
Private Member |
Zuzka I am very sorry to hear that, was not much intrested what was going on, I knew things went not good- but dear me- it is terrible , the way he treated you! YOu are strong, positive, beautiful , talented and so motivating! So many people love you! lots of luck and be strong!
Private Member |
dear Zuzka I am mostly just a drooling male fan lol, I’ve seen your *modeling pics from the past, and watched some body rock vids, but even though I am but a humble lecher, I must say I like your new vids better than the bodyrock vids. You’re a great inspiration for people to take care of themselves, your vids remind me to eat less pizza and more fruit and nuts for snacks, and exercise more. You seem like a lovely person, glad you have a caring boyfriend now, wish you every success.
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Zuzka! There you are 🙂
BodyRock was awesome when you were on it, but not now.
I wish you well with your new endeavours and if you are ever over in the UK please hit me up.
We all know that things happen, life happens, whether for a reason or not, but either way we all have to jump back on the horse; perhaps not on the same horse, but a different one. It takes a while to learn how the new animal works underneath us, and that’s the exciting part; a new challenge in a greener field and in a fresh direction. Let’s hope you’ve not found another bucking bronco..!
I am a massive fan, not because of how you look (a big plus) but because of your total dedication. That is what people lack, and if there was a way to bottle and sell your particular kind of motivation you’d be a zillionaire overnight.
I am a sales and marketing professional, so if you ever need help I’d certainly like to discuss your direction. I am only saying this because I believe in what you are trying to do.
Keep up the good work and hold onto the reins …and you will one day reign again (see how I did that?!) lol
Take care
🙂
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Fitness porn is what Bodyrock has become. I just turned 50 years old … following your workouts, I am in the best shape of my life! I lost 40 pounds and am at my 30 year old weight. I’m healthy, I’m eating a better diet, I do yoga, and of course I use your workouts.
To be honest, I think you present things in the right way. A fitness model should be an attractive woman, so people can see the fitness is working, but should not become plastic porn model.
Thank you for keeping your integrity, and for keeping me motivated!
Kindly,
Dwayne
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Its not my first time to payy a visot thhis site, i am visiting
this web site dailly and obtain fastidious information from here everyday.
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Hi Zuzka, I do not know you and you do not know me.
I thought to say it was a good move to publish the story on your website.
Whatever journey we have is our unique journey and we drive the course.
We all make mistakes in life and we learn by making them. Any reflection of others in whatever way towards us, is a mirror to their soul, be it their weakness or strength. We take a note and move on with our life. Important is to stand up for ourselves when the time comes…
You probably went through hell times but learnt a lot. Keep hold of that, trust again but be aware…do not let yourself in as in every way we only have ourselves.
There is always something good out of something bad. At the time we don’t know or don’t understand the happenings, but later we discover it was good it happened. Every new day brings something new and good, and believe it or not…nothing lasts forever! Not me, not you, no-one and nothing…
….you have got out there and look where you are! You inspire, lead, motivate…and more.
Well done…!
In the end, there is something we have in common…we are both Czech girls who never give up!
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Zuzka, you are an inspiration to women all over the world! And sadly this is a testament to how greedy people can be. Even the ones we trust and love most. I had to learn this with one boyfriend the hard way. Now it is all about pre-partnership legal agreements! You deserve to be treated like a GODDESS and your good karma for helping people transform their lives will follow you for the rest of yours. I am very sorry he made such public statements against you and it is bewildering to know whether or not to speak out in the public, but I think you did the right thing.
Love always … wins!!!
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Zuzka,
First off, I admire you for staying strong and not letting that defeat you or give in for a quick fix. You have a kind and truthful heart and it shows through yourself and your work. I discovered you a couple of years ago and fell in love with fitness, not to mention the your dedication and knowledge. I absolutely loved that you had videos every day and they were beginner friendly. However when changes occurred, I wasn’t sure if I was being taught the forms or if I was being sold on the more sexual aspect of the videos. I didn’t see you any longer and eventually started drifting away from following the website. It was obvious they had other intentions and my focus was to workout in a community who had the same goals and wanted a fit more healthy lifestyle. I wondered for almost a year where you had gone and searched your name multiple times until I finally saw a website related to your name! I was thrilled to have found you once again! Although I have not worked out consistently, I still follow your website and coffee talks. 🙂 you are filled with positive energy and inspire me to get motivated and workout. I support the route you have take and what you have done to your website and will definitely support your zgym and begin my health and fitness journey!
Love you zuzka
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lake tahoe, nv, usa
Thank you Lily for your kind words and support. I feel like I wrote this so long ago. Looking back at everything makes me feel so grateful for what I have now.
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seattle, washington
You need a “like” here Zuzka! You have fans, followers, friends and family to support you and you are rebuilding your business brick by brick. I hope your Mom and Brothers and Sisters are doing well. That Freddy though you would sell the car out from under your Mom says how much control he thought he had over you. He seems to rely on finding women’s fears and insecurities and manipulating them with them. The thing is most of your fears were unfounded. We don’t send people packing if they are productive and are good citizens unless they are illegally here. Besides you could always just ask for us to deluge the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) with letters of support for you and it would happen! 🙂
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You are so strong. Keep fighting. He’s being abusive to you. All the signs are there. It’s so obvious that he can’t survive without you. You “Are the Show” and he knew it. So glad you got rid of him. Good for you. I love your videos. Let him drown in his misery. He sounds like a shmuck……Love you, Therese