Charlie McGinnis began his training in 1977 in Yoshinkai aikido at the University of Toledo. He trained under Masatoshi Morita (currently 7th dan, in San Francisco). After completing training in the kenshu program taught by Takashi Kushida, 8th dan, he received his assistant instructor certification. In 1982 he was promoted to nidan.

In 1984 he moved to Cincinnati and began training at Aikido of Cincinnati, then known as the Cincinnati Aikikai. He became a student of Yoshimitsu Yamada Shihan of the USAF in 1986. The same year he became the head instructor of Aikido of Cincinnati. Currently he holds the rank of Rokudan (6th dan) and is certified as a Shidoin instructor through the United States Aikido Federation. He is also a member of the Directors of the United States Aikido Federation.

Charlie is married to Charlene Morse. He earns his living as an attorney, practicing in the areas of probate, estate planning and personal injury matters with the firm of Freking & Betz, located in Cincinnati, Ohio.