I’m so honored that I was asked to be the speaker at a meeting recently. I have 3 1/2 years free from alcohol, one day at a time. I work hard everyday on my sobriety. I goto meetings, I reach out to the newcomer, I have done service work, I pray, I sometimes practice meditation and the list goes on. Recovery is the biggest gift I could give to myself and others. Recovery is a huge job. Back to being asked to share my experience, strength and hope at a speaker meeting. I turned it down. I have a huge fear of speaking, I literally turn bright red, get hot and sweaty, and kinda freeze up. I’m working on this because I really feel that sharing would help me and my sobriety and hopefully touch and help someone else in the rooms. My problem is also that I feel like I still don’t know my story and or how to put it into words. Does anyone have any advice or tips…a guide to how to share your story? I’ve heard tons of people tell there stories but it just doesn’t click or register when it comes to my own. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Like what’s a good place to start? Thanks
Have a happy , sober day!!
The most important thing is to breathe. I have not done a lead yet but do have public speaking experience. If you look right above or between people instead of direct eye contact, it will help you, too. The last thing I will say at this time is that practice is the only way you get over this. Each time will get easier. Feel free to reach out, I'm always here to help.
I’m sure you’ll do well. Speak from the heart and others will resonate.
Congratulations.
The first time I shared my story I was petrified. I only could do it for about 10 minutes. Since then I have shared it dozens of times and it gets easier. I still can have even with 34 years of sobriety some anxiety. At about 25 years I shared in front of a crowd of about 150 people . That was not easy for me but I was really glad I did it afterwards. With me I always like to remember what jerry Seinfeld said, “public speaking is people’s number one fear, death is number two. So most people would rather be in the casket than delivering the eulogy!” 
. I just shared that to let you know that you are never alone
Congrats! You'll do well I'm sure.
Try writing it and read it out loud
Hey girl! Wow congrats on 3.5 years sober! So I can relate to your anxiety, I’ve been going to meetings now for about a month and every time I want to speak I don’t because of my fear of how I’ll sound or what I’ll say. So last week I finally did and afterwards I felt great that I did even though my chest was covered in hives. But only I notice that, no one really cares how you come across, as long as your speaking from your heart you cannot go wrong 
Start at what brought you to become sober, circumstances, what led up to asking for help and why. What road that took you to and where you are today. It's not a story, it's your story..good luck I'm sure you will be awesome.
Maybe have someone you know there and just focus on them alone.
Very helpful thanks
Bright Red, sweaty mess, freeze up, you have to be my long lost twin. The kids in school used to call me Bashful from the 7 Dwarfs😡. You asked about a good starting point and I've had trouble with this as well? I looked to the beginning of my relationship with addiction and where I started to go down hill. Abuse from my past etc. Your truth is your story.
I write mine down in story/journal format. Started from the beginning w my earliest knowledge of booze then went up to about 10 years ago when I started trying to quit. Going to keep writing about it and that may help you because when we put it down on paper there's some permanent to it. Definitely not easy to speak about it off the cuff. Good luck! Congrats 