The effect of strain on the deformation mechanisms in an austenitic Mn-based twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) steel is investigated using magnetic measurements, XRD, positron beam Doppler spectroscopy, and finite element method simulations. The experimental observations reveal the formation of a 0 -martensite at specific degrees of deformation, despite the high stacking fault energy (SFE) of the material (52 mJ/m 2 ). The observed fraction a 0 -martensite is consistent with the estimated fraction of intersected shear bands acting as preferred nucleation sites for a 0 -martensite formation as a function of accumulated equivalent strain.