Dean, who is a 2nd Dan black belt, credits her Kimura Shukokai Karate training for helping her hone her instincts in potentially dangerous situations.
More than anything my training made me aware of my surroundings, said Dean. So I knew something was wrong right away.
She was on guard from the moment she saw the car, and was aware of techniques that muggers often use, like asking a question or a favour to distract a potential victim. She also knew to hang back when she approached the car, and to make noise to attract attention because she did not know whether the men were armed.
Taiji Quan for Self Defense