My first coaster ever was the Mine Train at Six Flags, St. Louis. I used to LOVE that ride (the drop in the tunnel at the end was great), but I was too scared to ride Ninja or even Screamin' Eagle (hey, I was like 7, OK?)
Then I moved to MI, and my home park became CP. I walked in the front gate and saw Raptor. The was a kid who was like 47.5" tall and trying to get in line - I figured if he could do that ride, then so could I. I rode it, and fell in love with intense coasters right away! I've since gone to CP every year and ridden anything and everything I could. :-)