"苦労して英検準1級ホルダーにまでなった" + work one's way up
- I worked my way up to Eiken Grade 1.
work one's way up:
Progress towards something better or ascend a series of ranks through hard work
下から上
He started out as a regular soldier, but worked his way up and eventually became a colonel.
普通の兵士 -> 大佐
アメリカ合衆国 
