James Dean graduated from the University of Alberta in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy.

He worked for two years in home care in Beaver County and in St. Albert, while also working part-time at Callingwood Physical Therapy and Central Rehabilitation Centre. In 2001, he started St. Albert Physical Therapy & Sports Injury Clinic as a small four-bed clinic in Tudor Glen.

He expanded the practice into Edmonton and, along with fellow physiotherapist, Ed Shields, opened Kensington Physical Therapy in 2004, then opened Dynamic Sports Physiotherapy located in St. Albert's own Servus Credit Union Place two years later. In 2011, a fourth location was opened in Fort Saskatchewan.

James has served on the Alberta Physiotherapy Association private practice committee, the 2001 IAAF World Championships in Athletics as a physio, the 2004 Racquetball and Squash Nationals as a physio, an examiner since 2001 for the Physiotherapy National Competency Exam, an interviewer for the University of Alberta Physical Therapy MMI interviews, as a Clinical Associate Professor with the Faculty of Rehabilitation, a fourteen-time practicum supervisor for the Faculty of Physical Education, a physio for the St. Albert vs. England Rugby in 2009, a physio for the 2009 Roar of the Rings Canadian Curling Trials, physio for the Alberta 55+ Alberta Winter Games, and physio for the ITU World Cup of Triathlon & World Championship ITU Grand Final.

Outside of the physio world, James volunteers as a Knight of Columbus with the local St. Albert Brother Anthony Council. He is also the Chief Councilor for the Annunciation Squires, a youth group in the West End of Edmonton. He canvases for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, is a donor with the Red Cross and volunteers for local events such as the St. Albert Kids of Steel Triathlon, and was the Race Director for the St. Albert Triathlon and is currently the Race Director of the St. Albert Road Race.

James also enjoys competing himself; he is a 4-time Ironman finisher, a Provincial Aquathon Champion, as well as a Sprint & Olympic Distance National Triathlon Team member and competed in the 2015 World Championships in Edmonton.

James lives in St. Albert along with his wife and four young children, Samuel, Zachary, Zoë, and Isabelle, along with his husky, Rocket.