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 Sometimes
when there is time to reflect on what experiences I've faced
throughout my squash career while competing, I realise only a
handful of people can truly appreciate what goes into my life
through the wins and losses.
The one person that stands by my side in all these ups, downs,
craziness and unthinkable situations is Liz Irving.
 March
this year will come to 12 years working with her and yet she still
has more to offer while taking on a heavy load of responsibility
over my performances with such grace as she carries herself always
with everyone she meets. No one else would have ever endured the
things that she had to deal with when I went through my worse
moments but she stuck with me because she would have never let me go
astray.
BEYOND THE TITLES
 When
people think about the glory of winning those titles I've won, they
probably don’t realise how much I had to struggle through them. Many
see the end result while Liz had to sit at my side during my rough
times all those years and have never once complained.
She saw me through and believed in me no matter at what mental state
I was in. And I wish more people would realise that if it was not
for her guidance, I may have been a one-hit-wonder, who would have
drifted away from squash and would have been out of the game a long
time ago.
 How
I motivate myself to keep going? By knowing I got new and exciting
things to work on with Liz to keep improving, things only she can
identify, better than anyone else in the world.
This doesn't 'just happen', it's a lot of work, research, effort and
thoughts, and she keeps doing all those things day after day to
ensure I have this opportunity to learn and grow as the best squash
player I can be.
HANDPICKED TEAM
Many may think I don't face ordinary life experiences. Ha ha ha. Of
course I do! You know those moments, when emotions are all over the
place on different levels, suddenly a little illness creeps in,
those difficult situations you have to handle while competing,
constant disruptions, and yet I'm expected to be on my game at
all times, expected to win.
 I
would never be able to go through these phases without Liz's
support, my family and friends backing me and a truly dedicated
sport psychologist,
Frank to
help me baby steps towards living my every day life while having to
perform every single time I step on court.
She single-handedly picked the right team for me. Everyone is on the
same page and are motivated to work with the girls she coaches and
myself.
 This
is how she works and she's got that ability to have a global vision
of possible areas that experts can contribute to my performance and
well being.
Most coaches may take on themselves to
do everything but she made the choice a long time ago to surround me
with the proper expertise with positive input. Her humble nature
allows me to get the best out of the team she's put together.
WHO ELSE?
 I
wonder sometimes, if I had proposed to another coach to take this
responsibility, with the bet of me not losing anything (not one
match), would they take the chance?
When I had my loses, Liz took a lot of blame in many occasions
because the coach gets hit in the first line of fire. She never once
complained. Never a word. She just keep on supporting me in whatever
I'm going through.
 I'm
the one on court and the responsibility lies on me. No one else
should ever be placed in that position but Liz sees the bigger
picture and stays true to her belief in me. 8 years at No. 1 in the
World is not a gimme for her because she never gave up on me.
That's the difference that no other coach can compare to her, men or
women.
TIME AFTER TIME
 Time
does pass by so quickly that at times I hardly have a moment to
fully take in the magnitude that she continues to give day after
day, year after year, because we're both so focused on the next
tournament, one after the other, and I completely and uttlerly enjoy
every moment working and sharing great victories with her.
 So
much is taken for granted because she does it so well. Seems easy
when you know how...
She is a rare person in this world with the biggest heart and I'm
fortunate enough to be her student and friend.
Thank you Liz for the best years of my life! My recent 106 month
record is dedicated to you and a here's wishing you a very Happy
50th Birthday! It's the new 30 and your youthful soul shines through
always.
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