Neryl Joyce worked in Iraq from 2004 to 2006 — says her “self-belief, courage and a never-say-die attitude” took her from working at Woolworths to becoming a Baghdad bodyguard, but also almost got her killed.

Working for two of the most powerful security companies in Baghdad, Joyce — who had served as a commissioned officer in the Australian Army’s close personal protection unit — was responsible for protecting high-threat targets from assassination and opportune attack in the lead up to, and following, Iraq’s first democratic election since 1953.

“Ever since I was a kid I’ve wanted to be Wonder Woman or Luke Skywalker or someone who protects others or saves the world,” she said. “When I heard about (private security work) I was instantly attracted to it because I wanted to do something that was about more than just me.