T.J. Petry is Ajarn Mack Petry's nephew.  T.J.'s father is Teary Petry, a 2nd degree black belt in Hapkido and former assistant instructor to Ajarn Mack Petry in LOTUS. 

T.J. began studying LOTUS in November of 1994.  He was able to earn his black belt in 2002 before transferring to college.