If you ask me, I will be honest and give myself as an example so that people will believe that it's a bad idea to take a loan, it's not a sign of weakness if you admit your past mistakes.
How about you? How do you see yourself?
For me, using myself as an example is better if I would tell a bad experience in gambling. It would even be more easy to move-on if I share my own story how I get past to that struggle.
People are more likely to take serious of your advice if you use your own personal experience. Only close-minded people will say it's a sign of weakness telling them about your past mistake.