Don't get too excited and keep your feet firmly placed on the ground. The inspiring story that you refer to is more than just an exception to the rule, believe me. Its rough out there even when its good, you will need experience to compete for proper jobs (i.e full time contract with a proper employer) that means private health care/ pension/ uniform/ medical/ proper hotac on layover/ staff travel etc etc for any of you ryanairesque drones reading this. The bull!!!! above spouted about our greying heros who pay for 500hrs jet time and being preferred over Tarquin fresh out of OAT + P2F and pots of cash = rubbish. A 2 horse outfit is no comparison to an airline run by beancounters, your boss may prefer the oldies but I doubt that will apply across the board.
Lower your sights and get real, 36/ 26 whatever, it is still a nightmare to land a decent career in aviation don't let the warm feeling get in the way of reality. This is and will always be one of the hardest nuts to crack career wise anywhere.