I've been at it for less than a year but holy shitballs it really is fun.
I'm 35 and I was nervous at first because getting punched in the face really doesn't sound so appealing but after getting over that and learning a little bit and actually standing in there and firing back.......man it's awesome.
It's given me a whole new respect for striking that's for sure, and it's helped my confidence a great deal.
Kudos to all you monsters of striking.
There's nothing like the sensation of hitting and being hit...