What if a traumatic childhood experience could become the catalyst for a career saving thousands of lives, not through arrests, but through education and early intervention?
In this episode, Chuck Marting, retired law enforcement officer with 19 years of distinguished service and founder of Colorado Mobile Drug Testing, shares his unexpected journey from almost being kidnapped as a teen in Southern California to becoming one of the nation's leading experts in workplace impairment detection. Through a pivotal moment when an officer took the extra step to check on him that same night, Chuck discovered his calling: if he could do for others what that officer did for him, his life would have meaning.
From earning recognition from Mothers Against Drunk Driving to becoming a certified Drug Recognition Expert to building a mobile drug testing business from his kitchen table 14 years ago, Chuck has transformed how employers protect their teams. His philosophy is revolutionary: shift from "zero tolerance" (reactive, after the fact) to "zero blind spots" (proactive, before tragedy strikes). With workplace impairment costing US businesses $81 billion annually, Chuck's mission has never been more critical.
Chuck reveals the restaurant encounter where a former client thanked him for saving his family, how one trained supervisor caught an employee vaping marijuana in plain sight, and why relationships with his father, his wife of 35 years, and mentors like Jack Canfield have shaped everything he does.
[00:04:30] The Origin Story: A Childhood Trauma That Planted a Seed
As a teen in Southern California, Chuck was grabbed by someone attempting to kidnap him
Broke free, ran to nearest house, called for help
Police officer arrested the suspect quickly
[00:06:24] Finding His Gift: Becoming a Drug Recognition Expert
Got into law enforcement and discovered natural gift for detecting impairment
Performed so many DUI arrests that Mothers Against Drunk Driving recognized him
Sent to Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) school, one of law enforcement's hardest certifications
Equivalent of college semester compressed into two weeks
[00:08:20] The Kitchen Table Beginning: Starting Colorado Mobile Drug Testing
14 years ago, arrested someone who was panicking about missing pre-employment drug test
Answer: "Nobody does that"
Light bulb moment: started researching, found nobody in Colorado doing mobile drug testing
Started business at kitchen table with his wife
[00:09:40] The Problem Chuck Solves: Teaching "Zero Blind Spots"
Saw supervisors missing obvious signs of impairment due to lack of training
Most employers treat drug testing as afterthought until crisis hits
Workplace impairment costs: $81 billion/year in US, $4 trillion/year worldwide
Created training programs that go beyond textbook knowledge
[00:12:20] Colorado's Marijuana Legalization: 21 Years Later
Colorado and Washington legalized marijuana over 21 years ago
Even after two decades, many Colorado employers still have no policies or training
Chuck speaks nationally and trains companies on handling this challenge
Also coaches supervisors on leadership skills learned from law enforcement
Active listening, de-escalation, and other cop skills translate directly to business leadership
[00:16:11] Most Impactful Result: The Restaurant Encounter
Two years ago, took team to Christmas dinner at restaurant in city where he was officer
Hesitant to go (officers typically avoid areas they policed)
Chuck's immediate concern: arrested? positive drug test? upset?
The reveal: "Four weeks ago I lost my job because I had a positive drug test"
[00:26:00] Recent Impact: The Supervisor Who Caught the Vape
Trained a "designated employer rep" (safety program manager) who became passionate about program
Client called Chuck: "Something's off with this employee, I need confirmation"
Supervisor thanked Chuck: "I don't know if I would've ever caught this before"
This is Chuck's mission: protecting employers, teams, and community
[00:29:20] Why This Work Matters: The 3 AM Calls
As officer, had to tell families at 2-3 AM their loved one was killed by impaired driver
"Very difficult situation to have to be in"
Employers face same situation when workplace accidents occur
Would do this work even without pay; mission to prevent tragedies
"I'm only one guy doing the best I can to get it out there"
[00:32:00] Chuck's Business Philosophy
Runs 24/7 operation and is available anytime because problems don't wait
"If I get a call at 3 AM, so be it. You might have to give me a couple minutes because it might sound like I need a drug test"
Doesn't want anyone waiting or feeling like they're inconveniencing him
Core message: Zero tolerance is reactionary and after the fact
Zero blind spots is proactive, recognizing issues before tragedy strikes
KEY QUOTES
"What made the impact on me was later on that night, that officer came to my home to make sure that I was okay. He took that added time. That made that impression on me. And I remember thinking to myself, if I can do what he just did for somebody else, then I want to do that." - Chuck Marting
"It's hard to read the label when you're inside the bottle." - Chuck Marting
"I'm not gonna be able to take somebody in an hour or two hours of training and turn them into a drug recognition expert, but if they listen to some of the things that I teach them, they're gonna catch those things." - Chuck Marting
"Zero tolerance is reactionary, after the fact. Zero blind spots: recognizing this before something happens, is what we have to focus on." - Chuck Marting
CONNECT WITH CHUCK MARTING
🌐 Website: https://www.chuckmarting.com | https://www.masteringtheimpairmentcode.com
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-marting-aa849660
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chuck.marting
🏢 Business Websites: https://www.coloradomobiledrugtesting.com | https://www.focusedcompliancegroup.com
📚 Book: "Mastering the Impairment Code" (Foreword by Jack Canfield) - Available on Amazon
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