David Hardy began studying LOTUS under Ajarn Mack Petry in Lafayette, Louisiana in 1996.  David earned his black on December 26, 1998, making him Ajarn Mack Petry's 10th student to reach black belt.  Shortly afterward, David started teaching a LOTUS class in Carencro, Louisiana.  He later stopped teaching in order to run his restaurant.  David still studies and takes classes under Ajarn Mack Petry in Abbeville, Louisiana.