Vector, that first bit from your earlier post was one of the saddest ways I've heard someone refer to themselves in... ever. Also, Telle, I don't think it's unhealthy at all; it's human nature to strive against others, and come out on top. That's why we civilized and tame modern folks love reading about competition in stories, and watching it in sports; it's to get our daily fix of strife.
As you get better at some things, though, you start to have a harder time finding rivals who can... rival you. Some games solve this by putting you in a higher tier, with better players. I guess the equivalent in academia would be Graduate School... so keep pushing for it! Until then, maybe try to find internal inspiration for betterment, rather than looking externally for it. Measure modern success and triumph against your past successes? It might tide you over until you find your Gary Oak.
Soli, have you ever considered a career in Psychology? You have the right observations over people and not much of a backstabber.
Fuck... yes, I've gotten that since childhood; I used to (and continue to) advise my mother and help her work through her emotional troubles, and try to seek self-improvement. Empathy is a very useful skill to have. Still, I can just live that way, and don't feel a drive to make a job of it; career and aptitude doesn't guide my life goals, so much as my passions do. Those generally point me toward learning and entertaining people. Probably ought to aim to be some kind of Bill Nye for the next generation.