Dean Foster began his martial arts training in 1975 in traditional Tae Kwon Do under Dick Betzer on the Oregon Coast. He later transferred to a more eclectic system of Tae Kwon Do under Tony Gardner receiving his first black belt in 1984. Dean taught Tae Kwon Do at a local community college for several years.

In 1986 Dean began training in Chuan Fa Kajukenbo under Sifu David Poole focusing primarily on the self-defense aspects of the style. In 1989 Dean began training in Mo Duk Pai kung fu under Sifu David DiPrete in Portland, Oregon receiving his second black belt in 1994 and his second degree black in 1997. During this time Dean also began flying to Salt Lake City to train in BJJ under Pedro Sauer and continued this training regime for a couple years.

In 1996 Dean met Dr. Jacques and began training in sport and Combat Sambo. Dean was awarded a black belt in Combat Sambo and full instructorship in sport and Combat Sambo in 2000 and is currently the chief instructor for the American Sambo Academy Northwest.

Dean has trained MMA for competitions, has been a judge at numerous fights. He has also had the opportunity to train special warfare personnel in use of extreme close quarter combat techniques via Combat Sambo. Dean has an extensive knowledge and application base of modern weapons and tactics with a specialty in long range tactical applications.