[crazydjp]

Okay I figured it out.

add_shortcode( 'get_total_activity_count', 'get_total_activity_count');
function get_total_activity_count(){

	global $wpdb;
 
	$total_activity_count = $wpdb->get_var( "SELECT COUNT(*) FROM activity_database_name
					  WHERE (component = 'activity' OR component = 'groups') 
					  AND   type = 'activity_update'
                                         ");
	return $total_activity_count;
}

And then using this shortcode [get_total_activity_count] to display on the frontend.