I'm looking forward to the responses to this. I came to programming later than most (early 30s), and it's been a real struggle to break into it professionally. I have occasional low points when I wonder what I could have achieved if I'd started on this path in my teens or 20s. It's a waste of time and brain power to dwell on regrets, but it's hard not to sometimes. It would be cool to read some success stories from people who have persevered through difficult times.