CQU alumnus puts resilience to the test on Alone Australia
When Dylan Hyatt-Jacobson signed up for Season 4 of Alone Australia, he knew he would face freezing temperatures, hunger and isolation in the Arctic wilderness.
What he didn't anticipate was just how much the lessons he learned as a CQUniversity student would shape his experience.
During his 43 days alone in one of the world's harshest environments, the psychology graduate drew on the self-awareness and adaptability he developed through his studies, discovering that strength is not always about pushing through.
The experience ultimately ended when he made the difficult decision to leave the competition due to a worsening back injury, but it also left him with a deeper understanding of resilience, human connection and what matters most.
A proud Palawa man living on Yuwi Country, Dylan enrolled at CQUniversity after leaving the Australian Defence Force. He initially began studying Paramedic Science before changing direction and pursuing his passion for psychology.
"Unfortunately, partway through my third year, my doctors advised that my existing injuries and inflammatory condition might limit how long I could work operationally," Dylan said.
"I decided to follow my passion for psychology instead, and CQUniversity made the transition to that degree incredibly easy."
He graduated with a Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) and received a Diploma of Health Science, recognising the studies he had completed during his paramedic training.
Reflecting on his time at CQUniversity, Dylan said supportive lecturers played a significant role in his academic journey.
"I was fortunate to have lecturers who were genuinely invested in my learning, encouraged my curiosity and helped me explore topics beyond the curriculum," he said.
Today, Dylan works in the domestic and family violence sector, supporting young people and developing programs alongside local Elders and government partners. He has spent the past six years working in a Domestic and Family Violence High Risk Team and volunteers as a search and rescue tracker with Queensland Remote Area Tracking (QRAT).
He credits his CQUniversity studies with providing the foundation for both his career and the challenges he would later face in the Arctic.
"My psychology studies gave me the crucial theoretical and practical foundation I need to do my current job," he said.
"Those lessons have also shaped my personal life, helping me navigate all sorts of challenges and grow in ways I couldn't have imagined before studying."
Dylan said his motivation for joining Alone Australia was about more than survival.
"I wanted to challenge myself in an extreme environment, gain perspective and come away with a deeper understanding of myself and my connection with this Earth," he said.
"But I also wanted my son, Jensen, to one day see his dad putting everyday mental health skills into practice."
While years of wilderness skills and preparation helped him survive, Dylan said his psychology background became one of his greatest assets.
"Self-reflection and metacognition, thinking about how you're thinking, helped me learn from mistakes, adapt to my environment and recognise unhelpful self-talk before it took over," he said.
Despite the freezing temperatures, scarce food and daily challenges, Dylan said the hardest part was being separated from the people he loves.
"Humans are social creatures, and no amount of bushcraft can replace the connection and comfort of the people you love," he said.
"Being separated from my family and friends was harder than the physical hardships and daily dangers."
The experience also gave him a new perspective on the pressures people can carry and the importance of showing compassion.
"Some of the hardest moments were when I was starving, fighting the temptation to eat food that could poison me, or struggling with my back injury and feeling helpless," he said.
"Looking back, those moments showed me just how dramatically extreme circumstances can change the way we think and behave.
"It reminded me that people carry invisible burdens every day, often far heavier than others realise. It reinforced how important it is to show kindness to ourselves and others, especially when we're struggling."
After 43 days in the competition, Dylan made the difficult decision to withdraw as his back injury worsened.
"My back was deteriorating, and I realised that if I became unable to collect water or suffered a spasm while kayaking, the consequences could be life-threatening," he said.
"As difficult as it was to leave, I had to make a decision that prioritised my safety. I needed to come home to my wife and son."
The decision reinforced one of the most important lessons he took from the experience.
"Being resilient doesn't always mean pushing on. Sometimes it means recognising when it's time to stop," he said.
With his family preparing to welcome a daughter, Dylan said his focus is now firmly on home.
"We're about to welcome our daughter and grow our family, so my priority right now is being the best dad and partner I can be," he said.
For current CQUniversity students considering a challenge of their own, his advice is simple.
"Take the first step, stay curious and give yourself permission to mess up at times and grow along the way."
Want to learn more about Dylan’s story? Alone Australia Season 4 is available to stream on SBS On Demand.
Interested in a career understanding human behaviour, mental health and wellbeing? Learn more about CQUniversity's Bachelor of Psychological Science.
