struggler

A struggler is someone who struggles—working hard against difficulty, opposition, or unfavorable circumstances.

The word carries connotations of persistent effort despite challenges, whether financial, physical, or emotional.

The small business owner was a struggler for years before finally turning a profit.

In some contexts, particularly in anime and gaming communities, struggler has taken on an identity as someone who endures hardship with grim determination, often referencing the manga series Berserk.