269: Why Kylea Hodgkinson-Jones Swapped Life in the Navy for Life on the Land

Kylea Hodgkinson-Jones didn’t grow up on a farm - she trained as a maritime warfare officer. From life at sea to six months in Antarctica, her Navy career took her to the most extreme, isolated corners of the planet. But burnout and a medical discharge changed everything. Today, Kylea’s raising cattle, and her beautiful daughter Maggie, on a regenerative farm in Queensland’s South Burnett. Her journey from Navy officer to rural mum is raw, powerful, and full of surprises (including the kidney stone that led her to meet her husband). In our chat she opens up about it all, including the birth of her daughter at just 28 weeks, and the relentless fight to bring her home. This is her story.

This episode touches on childhood trauma - including references to family violence and sexual abuse. If you need support, call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732)

Style your winter with Blundstone. Boots that are made for layering, tough enough for the farm, comfortable enough for town. From winter denim to chunky layers, they go with everything. Discover your go-to boots this season, built for comfort, worn with confidence. CLICK HERE to check out their range.

Following on from National Farm Safety Week, together with Kidsafe Victoria, let’s make our farms and rural communities safer for our families. CLICK HERE to learn more and access Kidsafe Victoria’s free resources:

Scholarship Applications for Motherland's 2026 National Conference are now OPEN. Click here to apply. 

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