Professor Shawn McGinnis

• 3rd Degree Black Belt Professor Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

• IBJJF Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Certified

• 3rd Degree Black Belt Tae Kwon Do

• 4th Degree Black Belt Hapkido

Tae Kwon Do

Master McGinnis began Martial Arts training in 1992 with Instructor Grady Smith in Tae Kwon Do.  He was awarded his 1st Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do on October 11, 1997, under the Independent Tae Kwon Do Association.  Master McGinnis went on to obtain his 2nd Degree Black Belt/Instructor certification on October 23, 1999, and his 3rd Degree Black Belt on September 18, 2001.

Hapkido

Master McGinnis began training in Hapkido in January 1996 under the instruction of Master M. Mariaca and Grandmaster J. Pellegrini.  Master McGinnis was awarded his 1st Degree Black Belt in Hapkido on June 5, 1999.  Master McGinnis continued training and attending multiple seminars throughout the United States in Hapkido including instruction in Cane and Knife techniques.

Master McGinnis was awarded his 2nd Degree Black Belt/Instructor Certification on January 23, 2001.  Master McGinnis continued training under the guidance of Grandmaster Pellegrini and was awarded his 3rd Degree Black Belt on June 28, 2003.  On July 27, 2006, Master McGinnis was personally awarded his 4th Degree Black Belt/Master Instructor Certification by Grandmaster J. Pellegrini.

Master McGinnis has trained with Grandmaster Geoff J. Booth and continues to further his training in Hapkido.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Professor McGinnis began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) in 1998 with Luis 'Sucuri' Togno.  Mr. McGinnis obtained the rank of Blue Belt on May 21, 2003 from Sucuri.  Mr. McGinnis met Maestro Carlson Gracie Jr. at a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu seminar and a longtime friendship developed.  Mr. McGinnis was awarded his purple belt from Maestro Carlson Gracie Jr. on December 1, 2005.

Mr. McGinnis returned to training locally with Paulino Mushu at Sucuri's school and a longtime friendship with Mushu developed.  Under Mushu's training and guidance, Mr. McGinnis was awarded the rank of Brown Belt from Roberto Traven and Mushu.  Over the next several years Mr. McGinnis continued his training with Mushu and was awarded the coveted Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt from Maestro Carlson Gracie Jr. on October 25, 2014. 

Mr. McGinnis continues to train under the instruction of Maestro Carlson Gracie Jr., earned his IBJJF Black Belt Certification, his 1st Degree Black Belt on October 25, 2017; his 2nd Degree Black Belt on October 25, 2020; and his 3rd Degree Black Belt on October 25, 2023.