Gary Wilson's bleak visits to the biting freezers of a food factory in the North East made Sunday's warm winning Edinburgh embrace all the more special.
The Tyneside star wears his heart on his sleeve but this breakthrough triumph at the Scottish Open was underpinned by grit, unwavering focus and the fearlessness that saw him down Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Wilson's road to the Stephen Hendry trophy is the latest inspirational story from snooker's doldrums to distinction as he roared to the title and claimed the £80,000 prize.
The 37-year-old from Wallsend claimed his first ranking title in sensational style by crushing his fellow unfancied star Joe O'Connor 9-2 in the final at the Meadowbank Sports Centre.
And Wilson dedicated his victory to the late Stan Chambers, snooker's ubiquitous figure in his North East home who instilled faith in him, long before he was making waves on the green baize.
That Wilson reserved a large block of his winners' speech for Chambers, who sadly died aged 85 last year, was indicative of the profound impact the influential coach had on his career.
But while workhorse Wilson climbed through the amateur ranks to turn pro in 2004, he fell off the tour just two years later as he was given a brutal lesson in what it really takes at the highest level.
Before his second stint on the pro tour, Wilson spent seven years driving a taxi around Newcastle. He also worked long monotonous hours in a frozen food factory and picked up shifts at his local pub to make ends meet and keep his snooker dream alive.
And there are times since his return where it has all got too much. Wilson launched his cue on the floor in frustration as he crashed out of UK Championship qualifiers just last month. It was only last year that Wilson insisted he 'can’t see a way back anymore' after a dismal period during the challenging height of covid.
But this victory is vindication for a former Crucible semi-finalist that pursuing his dreams and backing his unquestionable talent by continuing to practice hard - even through the darkest moments - was ultimately worthwhile.
Nerveless Wilson conquered none other than seven-time world champion O'Sullivan as he edged a tense decider against the game's greatest to win 4-3 on his run to the final. It was the first time Wilson had beaten the Rocket and the result signified a huge change in belief.
There was further evidence of Wilson's fortitude and tenacity as he overcame the blistering attacking game of Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in the semi-finals - before crushing the inexperienced O'Connor with superb scoring in Sunday's showpiece.
And the magnitude of Wilson's rise from malaise to majesty is best explained by the man himself.
“Frozen food, just going into the -18 freezers and bringing stuff in and out…it wasn’t the best," he admitted. "And it’s a far cry from what I am doing now.”
