A common denominator of everyone that you admire is that they are knowledgeable. They know things and often what they know has made room for them. Enough for you notice them and admire them.
My question to you is, what’s stopping you from also acquiring knowledge? Why have you dropped all books all in the name of “I’m no longer in school” or “I’m busy with work”? Why?
That said, when you read, read (auto)biographies. They have a way of showing you, you could also do it after all.