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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 |
Thank you for your part of the story and a tremendous thank you for wanting to produce family friendly workouts that aren’t sexualised and all about fitness. Being a mum with small kids I don’t need the sexualisation of women being shown as I’m trying to get fit and teach my kids about being healthy and exercise. Stick to your guns on being family friendly and making honest kid friendly videos.
Private Member |
I started following you in 2010 on Bodyrock and the videos and your positive attitude made me continue exercising and getting in the best shape of my life. I LOVED Bodyrock. Also, because I didn’t need any fancy equipment, just my body basically.
When you “disappeared” it made the website crap. I don’t like the sexual content on Bodyrock today. And I don’t like all the equipment you need for the workouts. I got tired of trying to modify every workout.
Finally I saw you opened your own youtube and I was so happy. I am glad you are standing up for yourself, and that you are pulling through. Good things happen to good people.
When my second baby is born in September, your workouts will get me back into shape again! I am on your side babe!Love from NYC and SWeden
Private Member |
I saw that post this morning and KNEW it was a load of crap. He’s always looked like that sort of person to me, a creep just focusing on the sexuality and not the real meaning of fitness- HEALTH! You f*g rock Zuzka and I’ll forever be YOUR fan, not a company that portrays women in a sexual way. Keep going girl!!! You are and always will be my biggest inspiration.
Private Member |
Zuzana,
I left BodyRock after you left because it became fake and materialistic. Aside from providing awesome workouts and being encouraging you have an awesome vibe which is transparent and real and I love that you concentrate in health overall and not just looking good (although of course that is a super plus).
Do not worry about what other people say, keep doing what you do and the right people will support you and make you rise.
Your fan, Giselle
Private Member |
You are amazing. Always stand up for yourself. Don’t every let him tear you down. What they are doing is nothing but exercise porn.
I truly believe in KARMA. They will get what they are due and you will suceed a million times over.
XO charlene
Private Member |
No matter what your ex has to say about you I stand behind you 110%. It is obvious that you are an extremely honest & good person. I really love your work outs, videos, recipes, blogs, etc. You are such an inspiration to me & I’m sure to everyone else that has found out about you. On another note… Your ex has definitely “down-graded” by getting with Lisa Marie. Ugh!! Seriously I think she is the trashiest thing ever! Keep your chin up sweetie! You are way too good of a person to put up with all of his crap & way too beautiful to let him bring you down. He knows this and that is why he is still trying so hard to knock you down. Remember the saying, “Misery loves company.” He’s obviously a very selfish, money hungry man that is very upset that he couldn’t keep you. I’m sure his ego is bruised too since you dumped him. You know how that goes… Keep doing what you are doing by keeping the rest of the world motivated to getting fit & being healthy. We love you girl!! God bless u!
Private Member |
Zuzana,
I left BodyRock after you left because it became fake and materialistic. Aside from providing awesome workouts and being encouraging you have an awesome vibe which is transparent and real and I love that you concentrate in health overall and not just looking good (although of course that is a super plus).
Do not worry about what other people say, keep doing what you do and the right people will support you and make you rise.
Your fan, Giselle
Private Member |
Just keep on keeping on Zuzka. You are peaceful and honest and inspire many. I removed Bodyrock from my life long ago…I noticed it becoming a hateful spiteful greedy site. More about sex and control than health and fitness. You are the only reason I ever watched it so to follow you to your new site and life was a no brainier for me. It was your inspiration and knowledge I put to active use in becoming a fire fighter at the age of 44 last year. It is you I will continue to learn from and be inspired by. Thank you.
Private Member |
i’ve been following you since 2009 and left BR when you did. it just wasn’t the same without you! i am so sorry to hear about the ugly words, heartache and messy legal aspects of the entire situation. i wish you nothing but the best! you are a seriously gracious person and clearly have taken the higher ground in the situation. love and light! -melissa
Private Member |
I’m so proud of you for everything you’ve done on your own and I support you no matter what. Thank you for being honest and genuine and for having integrity. You are a role model for me (and so many others) in so many ways. Just keep being Zuzka!