When Em Armstrong (above) took to the stage at the recent Women of the Riverina Forum, I imagined I was about to hear a story of an effortless journey to stellar success.

That is the image Em projects – a woman in charge, forging her way forward and kicking goals along the way, but that is just part of her story.

The first image she flashed on the screen was a cheeky photograph from her childhood, with a young Em grinning ear to ear.

As I re call her presentation as I write this, I realise it encompassed everything Em was endeavouring to tell us; be comfortable in your own skin and make peace with yourself and your own ride through life.

“The picture says ‘I’m living my best life’ - each day is just genuinely fun and you are just happy to be here,” she told the crowd who had gathered for the two-day event to mark NSW Women’s Week.

Em opened her talk with an exercise for us all. “When I got asked to speak today, I didn’t want it to be boring, because if you know me or follow me on socials, you’ll know that boring isn’t in my DNA,” she said.

“So, if you can all please get your phones out and take a selfie of yourself.”

The groan from the assembled audience was audible.

Women of varying ages reluctantly retrieved their phones and almost self-consciously snapped a photo of themselves.

Some openly frowned as they looked at the image on the screen, as Em continued to speak.

“You are probably thinking ‘what is this chick on about?”

As she looked about the room Em asked a question.

“Whilst taking the selfie things that might have popped into your mind - that felt weird.

“Self-doubt crept in. What’s a bush chick from Hay that’s working in Ag going to do as a yoga teacher? You just went to uni for three years and now you are doing this?” Did I get the right angle? I think my flash was on. Oh god, I had a massive double chin! Where will this end up?”

Most of us in the room shifted a little uncomfortably in our seats, as Em continued.

“Our brains unfortunately are wired with self-doubt…so I challenge you to look at that selfie again…and think: What a woman! How amazing do I look! I am amazing and I am proud of myself in what I have achieved so far in life!”

Her enthusiasm was infectious and the mood of everyone before her lifted.

Em grew up on a farm near Gunbar, enjoying a loving childhood where her tomboy streak shone brightly.

She had a passion for animals, the great outdoors and living on the farm, so once her schooling was finished she headed to the vast cattle country of Brunette Downs in the Northern Territory.

She worked there for two years before settling into tertiary education at Marcus Oldham College, studying a Bachelor of Business, majoring in agriculture.

For three years Em worked in Sydney, in what she felt was a ‘dream role’ with an Ag sales platform AuctionsPlus.

“The life of Sydney was great,” Em said.

“Fast paced, and exciting, but the life in Sydney came with a cost. Not being able to see the Hay Plains sunset that we all take for granted, not being able to just head to the pub on a Friday night and know you’ll bump into someone, or just being able to look out your kitchen window and see your lawn and trees."

Em said being indoors all day looking at a screen in a high-rise building, and working big hours was actually quite lonely at times, despite being surrounded by people.

“A friend took me to a yoga class to ‘clear my mind’ and as a tomboy from Hay who wasn’t very ‘spiritual’, I felt some calm in this chaotic world I was living in.”

Em said falling in love with yoga, Pilates and movement meant she could find these pockets of calm, no matter where she was.

“When I finally made the move back to Carrathool with my now hubby, I had another challenge,” Em shared.

“After been gone for over 10 years I was in a similar predicament where I actually felt quite lonely, even back in my happy place on the Hay Plains.

“It got me thinking - how many other women in the bush also must feel somewhat lonely?”

“Saltbush Stretch gave me a purpose. It gave me community and connection, and it gave me the confidence to tackle other elements of my life head-on without (as much) self-doubt.”

By sheer luck, just before Covid lockdowns forced gyms and studios to close, the Saltbush Squad began to offer yoga and Pilates online, connecting with women in other isolated areas or towns who couldn’t access a studio.

Online followers now come from across the globe.

“Fast forward to today and I have just opened the Saltbush Stretch HQ right here in town,” Em said.

“It has been the most amazing yet terrifying thing I have ever done. I have two amazing staff members Hannah McGufficke and Mollie Mclean here in Hay and two staff members online for The Squad.”

“We want to give women the confidence to be the best version of themselves on and off the mat. To be proud of their body and feel strong lifting the groceries inside.”

As she finished up Em asked everyone to grab their phones once more.

“Grab the person beside you and snap a selfie of you both,” she said, and, interestingly, this time there was no groan heard.

Women smiled, posed and laughed, and the joy in the room was palpable.

“Can you see the difference?” Em said.

“This is what it feels like when women support each other.

“Because women supporting women is pretty bloody special and it’s a lot easier to be kind and show support than the alternative.”