Word, expression for copying someone who inspires you

Solution 1:

You are always emulating her.

(Verb)

to try to equal or excel; imitate with effort to equal or surpass:

to emulate one's father as a concert violinist....

Sons often emulate their fathers.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/emulate

(Some dictionaries define it as equalling or excelling [not trying to]. So sometimes people use try/trying to emulate to convey this meaning.)

Solution 2:

That would be your role model. Merriam-Webster tells us:

someone who another person admires and tries to be like

Solution 3:

There are a couple of phrasal verbs you can consider:

model oneself on

Take (someone admired or respected) as an example to copy:

he models himself on rock legend Elvis Presley

[OD]

pattern yourself on sb/sth (BrE)

to copy something or someone:

She patterns herself on her big sister.

[Cambridge]

There are common phrases like follow someone's lead or follow/tread in someone's footsteps but they are usually used when you do the same job or the same things in your life as someone else, especially a family member.