The guy was an honest guy, its just that his business was growing exponentially and from the first day that I started working with him, he always talked about getting his mansion. 

This book truly changed my life, so much so that I bought a copy just to give to my brother in the hopes that he at age 27 could take advantage of what I'd already passed at age 31 (he's single and doesn't own a house yet, whereas I'm married and have a home).I have to admit, when I started listening to and reading Bigger Pockets I was thinking all about increasing earnings and didn't understand why I would "rob" myself in the mean time and be "needlessly frugal."

Where is the line between lifestyle inflation and just growing up/evolving?

When I started looking into it, I realized it was a good way to make money without an enormous investment in time/money (college), which is what I have been looking for.We didn't end up purchasing a property but the broker has agreed to be my mentor, and I sit down with him occasionally and talk about the industry, what I've learned in class, and also just BS because he also happens to be an interesting dude in general.We also have an old family friend ("uncle" when I was growing up) who does REI in San Antonio through Lifestyles Unlimited.

What is holding me back from being happy with this strategy is that I do not want to wait until retirement age to be able to withdraw these funds.

You'll meet some pros during this adventure, grow your network and hopefully find that great realtor partner.   

I do HML to grow your cash and wait for better pricing.

I am here to learn and grow and work toward my own fire.

I currently work a corporate job but have always told myself that I will be a millionaire by the age of 40.

Assuming time is your most valuable resource, I would say skip the residential game and buy an aged LLC, LLC business or start a LLC, and prepare to do a multi/office/retail deal in commercial real estate.