I had code with security holes that you could drive a Mack truck through. I learned security. I had sloppy copypasta code. I learned OOP. I had inefficient code. I learned memory management processes and how to structure code better for efficiency.
Could those who spoke down to me have been more helpful? More coddling? Not said anything at all? Sure. But who knows how that would have stunted my growth.
It's good to have compassion, and it's good to care. But if you really want to be the best at something, you're going to have to want it. And if you really want it, when someone beats you down, you're not going to stay down. You're gonna learn how to hit back.
As far as ultimately being where you want to be, sometimes it's simply the luck of the draw, and you have to understand how large a role that luck plays, as well, especially when you're being enchanted by stories of multi-million dollar startup investments.