[no_one_ever]

Yes, the first conditional of your question is mandatory to successfully follow through and complete an academic career in Physics.

I really loved Physics growing up as a student. I was really good at it and enjoyed the problem-solving.

Finished the degree at university, but knew I wasn't married to the idea of doing it for the rest of my career/life. So I touch computers now (got a degree for that too). It pays more, plus it pays 'now'.