Reading National Geographic, I ran across the story of the pirate Stede Bonnet, known as the "Pirate Gentleman", who allegedly became a pirate due to his nagging wife, Mary Allamby. Supposedly, after a particular nasty argument, he left and followed his dream of becoming a pirate.
Rather than steal a ship as any respectable pirate would, he bought a ship, renamed it "The Revenge", and hired 70 crewmen (well, folk from local taverns) to become pirates with him. He captured a few ships, but shortly met up with Blackbeard, who took him prisoner. After a few months, Blackbeard abandoned Bonnet again, and he was once again a pirate. Soon after that, he was captured, tried, and hung in Charleston, South Carolina. All in all, he was active from 1717-1718. His reign of terror had ended.
Follow your dreams.